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“Grant’s not there yet,” Bea said. “He’s running home to shower first, but I didn’t want to miss the announcements.”
“Who says there are announcements?” Cass asked.
“Aren’t there?” Bessie asked. “I actually have an announcement.”
Cass glowered at them. “Not until we have food in front of us.” She went over to the fridge and opened it. “And wine.” She pulled out a couple of bottles of rosé. “I had these out earlier, so they should be okay.”
She then smiled around at everyone. “Let’s get food and go out onto the patio. Then we can do announcements.”
Lauren liked the sound of that, and she opened the rosé closest to her. The scent of it lifted from the bottle, and Lauren smiled. She didn’t drink a lot, but she sure did enjoy a good glass of wine from time to time. She poured one for Joy and handed it to her.
The next one went to Cass, who stood out of the way as Sage filled her plate with beans, rice, lettuce, and shrimp, then doused the whole thing in Ranch dressing. “It’s a shrimp taco salad,” she said.
Lauren thought she was doing pretty well for how new her divorce was. She and her husband had been together for so long too, that even Lauren had been shocked by the split. Sage didn’t seem to be, and Lauren supposed she never really knew what went on behind closed doors.
“Get some food, Lauren,” Cass said.
“You look good,” she said back. “Happy.”
Cass’s lower lip trembled for just a moment. “I am happy.”
“I’m so glad.” Lauren hugged her, and she definitely felt a change inside Cass. Inside herself too, and she hoped it was for the better.
She made two tacos—one shrimp with pineapple-mango salsa, and one beef with all the traditional toppings—and took her laden plate outside with her glass of wine. The lights on Cass’s back patio cast everything in a romantic light, and Lauren set her plate down next to Bessie.
Joy took the spot on her other side, and Cass came outside last and sat down with all of them.
“I want all the news from Europe,” Bea said.
“That’s not an announcement.” Cass looked at Bessie. “We’ll do those first, okay? Then I can talk about Europe if you really want to hear it.”
“I do,” Lauren said, and all the others agreed.
“Announcements first,” Cass insisted. “Bessie?”
She wiped her mouth, her dark green eyes shining with what Lauren could only describe as mischief. “First, I don’t want anyone to freak out.” She looked over to Joy as she said that, and Lauren did too.
“I’m not going to freak out tonight,” Joy promised.
“The Bread Boy is thinking about opening up for franchising,” Bessie said. “I’m thinking about opening a franchise of it.” She sparkled she was so excited, and Lauren couldn’t contain her own smile.
“Wow,” Bea said. “That’s amazing, Bessie.” She looked around the group, and Lauren heard the unspoken words. Bea wouldn’t say them. No one would but her.
“That’s not something you’ll do in Sweet Water Falls,” she said.
“No,” Bessie said. “I don’t know where yet. Wynona is in Peachtree, so maybe up there. Maybe somewhere else.”
Again, a somewhat strained silence covered the table. Lauren really wished someone else could say the hard things. She determined not to do it this time, and she looked over to Cass.
“Maybe here on Hilton Head,” Cass said oh-so-casually.
Bessie didn’t confirm or deny anything. “Maybe,” was all she said.
“My announcement is that I got a job,” Bea said. She puffed out her chest like she’d just said she’d climbed Mount Everest. “I’m working mornings at The Mad Mango with Oliver, and I don’t hate it.”
“You’re what?” Joy asked. “Why would you do that?”
“Because Grant is gone all the time anyway, and Shelby sleeps late. This way, I can work a little in the morning and still go to the beach in the afternoon.” Bea gave Joy a sharp look. “Why do you work?”
